Bowman Design Group in Signal Hill (BDG), has met California’s AB 32 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goals for 2020 in just two years. In results verified by the California Climate Action Registry, BDG has slashed its GHG emissions by 65 percent, far exceeding the state’s goal, which mandates GHG emission reductions of 15 percent by 2020 and 95 percent by 2050 versus 2008 levels.
BDG, led by Tom Bowman, undertook its green initiative to see whether a small business could meet the California emission goals and remain financially viable. After analyzing 2006 baseline data, the firm prioritized sustainability efforts and focused its actions on reducing car emissions and power consumption throughout the office.
Replacing the company SUV with a hybrid, facilitating telecommuting, encouraging carpooling and combining supplier and client visits with commuting were changes that yielded significant improvements— reducing fuel use by 63 percent and employee driving by 43 percent. BDG reduced electricity use by 27 percent after installing compact fluorescent lighting, consolidating office equipment, eliminating “vampire power,” and replacing faulty air-conditioning equipment with a more efficient model. Water consumption, waste production, and office supply purchases were also reduced during implementation of the green business plan. In just two years, Bowman Design Group saved 59 percent on fuel costs for the company vehicle, plus 29 percent on reimbursed mileage for business driving in employees’ cars.
The firm also enjoyed a 40-percent savings on electricity costs. Bowman expects the firm to achieve an 80-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 with continued implementation of its green business plan. The firm has also launched Bowman Global Change— a consulting service to help other businesses reduce emissions and achieve sustainability.
The organization Cool California, whose mission is to provide all Californians with the tools they need to voluntarily reduce global warming pollution, is using BDG as a case study.
More Information
www.coolcalifornia.org
